THE LETTERS OF RALPH VAUGHAN WILLIAMS

Letter from Ralph Vaughan Williams to Edward Elgar

Letter No. VWL1191

Letter from Ralph Vaughan Williams to Edward Elgar

Letter No.: VWL1191


From R. Vaughan Williams,
The White Gates,
Westcott Road,
Dorking.

Feb 19th [1934]

Dear Elgar

I want to tell you how my choirs of the Dorking Festival are loving preparing “Gerontius” – Greatly daring I suggested it for this year’s festival – I had been longing to do it for years, but had thought it too dangerous an experiment as I could not bear to do it badly – Whether we shall do it well I do not know – But if enthusiasm and hard work can achieve anything be sure that it will not lack those.
And it will be one of the great moments in my life when I stand with trembling baton to conduct it – we have good soloists – Astra Desmond, Steuart Wilson and Harold Williams  – and we shall think of you – please give us your blessing.
Of course this wants no answer.
Yours affectionately

R. Vaughan Williams